D-Day vet went missing yesterday, and you’ll never believe where he was found

by Wilson

Friday, Jun 6, 2014 at 3:05 PM EST

Today, people around the world are remembering those who fought and died for freedom in World War 2. But one of the most inspiring stories of the day may be that of Bernard Jordan, an 89 year old British D-Day who walked out of his nursing home in Hove, England yesterday without telling anyone where he was going. After being reported missing by the staff and a search by local police, Jordan was found exactly where he needed to be today – on the beaches of Normandy, standing alongside his fellow veterans, commemorating the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.

Police have spoken to Jordan, and his friends are going to make sure he gets back to Hove safe and sound. A police spokesman said, “We have spoken to the veteran who called the home today and are satisfied that the pensioner is fine and that his friends are going to ensure he gets back to Hove safely over the next couple of days after the D-Day celebrations finish.”

People stand on Omaha Beach, western France , Friday June 6, 2014. World leaders and dignitaries including President Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II will gather to honor the more than 150,000 American, British, Canadian and other Allied D-Day troops who risked and gave their lives to defeat Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Peter Curtis, the chief executive of the company the runs Jordan’s nursing home, has denied reports Jordan was banned from attending. Curtis said, “Mr Jordan has full capacity, which means that he can come and go from the home as he pleases, which he does on most days.”

Jordan served with the Royal Navy during Operation Overlord, the code name for the Battle of Normandy which led to the liberation of Western Europe from the fascist grip of the Axis Powers.

“I’m not surprised to hear he’s gone missing,” said Brighton councillor Les Hamilton. “The memorial services meant a lot to him. He clearly didn’t want to miss what might be his last one.”

Jordan attended the 50th and 60th anniversary’s of D-Day as well in Normandy.

From left, World War II veterans of the U.S. 29th Infantry Division, Hal Baumgarten, 90 from Pennsylvania, Steve Melnikoff, 94, from Maryland, Don McCarthy, 90 from Rhode Island, and Morley Piper, 90, from Massachusetts, attend a D-Day commemoration, on Omaha Beach, western France , Friday June 6, 2014. Veterans and Normandy residents are paying tribute to the thousands who gave their lives in the D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France 70 years ago. World leaders and dignitaries including President Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II will gather to honor the more than 150,000 American, British, Canadian and other Allied D-Day troops who risked and gave their lives to defeat Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Jordan’s service to the community didn’t end after the war. He also served as mayor of Hove, England, an experience of which he said, “I was able to take my chance, serve the people of my town and do a job I loved. I am very proud of what I was able to do. For anyone who is interested in becoming Mayor, you must be prepared to work hard.”

Front Page image courtesy of the AP.

Anonymous

D-Day Vets — God bless you all.

jrsp

The last of the best. God bless them all.

Sarrissa

And more of the best is yet to come!

Thomas Dennis

Very sad , we are losing these heroes very soon.

IReadit3

We owe it to these men, to emulate these men. There can be another “Greatest Generation” Its up to each of us in our own way to teach our children through demonstration the meaning of giving of yourself for something greater than yourself. By being guardians and examples of Individual Liberty and self determination. If all of us do this effectively, (and I am by no means an example of what I am talking about but aspire to be) we can regain what made their generation, and our once proud nation, the greatest on Earth. it was not about the war itself. it was their unfailing understanding of and dedication to the principles of this country and their understanding that evil exists and must be placed in check for the world to find peace.

Anonymous

They fought what we will soon be fighting for. The freedom of America AND the world. Sadly this time i think the enemy will bring it to us again. evil is back and with a vengeance.

Sarrissa

Yes, and we have been here since our beginnings and our Republic shall endure.

Sarrissa

Thank you for sharing these very wise and encouraging thoughts. You are part of that dedication.

Julie Stanton

Thank you for such well spoken words IReadit3! All of which you have said is nothing but the truth. I lost my grandfather in November at the great age of 96. He fought hard in WWII and his efforts will live on through our family now. It is up to the future generations to uphold what these great young men/soldiers fought so hard for. I believe now that the sheer numbers of those who sacrificed their lives for their country is simply unfathomable for young children, men and women to truly appreciate. These memorials and days of remembrance shed light on the truth of what the men and women of our nation endured as well as the world, through these horrific times.

Hoschi0913

shows you the dedication that this 89 year old Mr. Bernard Jordan still has ,to get to the Anniversary and honor his fallen friends and comrades,
amazes me, that’s why they are called the greatest generation !!!!!

Billy Bob Baggins

What we need today, men of valor, courage of conviction and fortitude. May God breed us such men for the sake of our future.

Bill Miller

Great

Julie Montana Haagenson

My Grandpa Chester Haagenson just died Tuesday at the age of 96 as he was on the front line of D day, just a month or so ago he was driving an Rv, burial is set for June 11th in Federal Way Washington. May God Bless Him and His Family & Amazingly married 69 years next month

Sarrissa

As you know, you have every reason to be proud of this grand old warrior, Julie. God bless you, God bless your family and God bless him. Thank you for sharing.

cmesic

God bless him and all of his defendant’s Julie. He can rest at the masters feet. I have always admired that great generation.

David K

These heroes still inspire us to fight for freedom and right. While the battlefield has changed vastly, we still need to fight for freedom and for the values that made these men what they are and gave our country the edge in the great struggle. I refuse to believe that their spirit will die with them. It MUST live on in us. Our challenge is to identify the enemy and then fight with all our strength to honor these and all the great men who have served this great nation so honorably and faithfully. God bless these heroes, and God bless America.

Judith Gretes

Good for Mr. Jordan, he hasn’t lost his spunk!

Gramma

I am 77 years old and whenever I read any article regarding all these wonderful heroes of WWll I begin to tear up and then the tears are almost uncontrollable. These were true heroes and the Greatest Generation. All those men and women that have served in foreign countries and paid the ultimate price or came home from such a horrible time in their lives I truly honor them and I am most grateful for their service. We, as Americans are free because of such unselfish giving, and I thank all of them that served. I am grateful for those that serve and are not in harms way; you would be right there in the middle of it all if it became necessary because you took that oath. I do pray that there will be an awakening of these unruly, defiant, selfish people out there now that don’t seem to care about anything or anyone except criticizing the opposite of their thoughts because they feel they are right about everything. Racism in any form, it has to stop. Democrats and Republicans and/or liberals and conservatives; we can all have opinions but that doesn’t mean our opinion is the right one. We can be wrong, you know. But at least let us have our opinion without beating one another in the ground and calling them viles names. If it continues there will never be another GREATEST GENERATION, even in peace time.
We need respect for one another, we need to follow the greatest commandment that Jesus Christ told us about: Love the Lord God with all your heart, your soul, your mind, your might (strength), and love your neighbor as you do yourself.

msjoeshmoe

I weep for the Greatest Generation also. Knowing there will NEVER be one like them again. They truly are The Greatest Generation!

Tom Oney

Don’t count on it msjoeshmoe! The generation of heroes being honored today rose out of the greatest depression and fought bravely because the spirit of freedom called them out. No disrespect to them, ever, at all, but when called the American People will rise to the occasion just as they have repeatedly before and after WWII. When the cause is just and right, and the threat is real there is no power greater. Recall the words of Yamamoto when he said “I fear all we have done is awaken a sleeping giant.” The giant may be sleeping again, but will awaken if needed. My Father was born on Memorial Day 1920, came ashore on Omaha Beach and served as a front line medic through to the end. We lost him this year 2 days before his 94th Birthday. I respect his sacrifice, and those of heroes untold of his generation, but don’t think for a minute that the American Spirit is not alive.

Sarrissa

Amen!

Sarrissa

They are a generation of greatness and they leave their children with us to be keepers of our Republic.

Sarrissa

You say this very well! I am your age, Gramma, and I have a great deal of faith in many of our present day young people. Many of them are noble souls and I have faith in those who are yet to come. They will echo the commitment of our first Patriots and carry the flag of our Republic as many have done since the beginning. Those who are loud and profane and ascribe to a wrongful ethic, and they have done so since the beginning, have never and will never drown out our original commitment. Bless you for sharing. Sarrissa

Sandy Kizzen

Well said Gramma.

Anonymous

God Bless each and every one of you D Day Veterans:!!!!!

Equality7-2521

And Obozo’s people said that a DESERTER is a “hero”.

Thank you, Mr. Jordan (and other WWII vets). Sadly, you won’t be able to help us fight the Fascist/Progressives.

Anonymous

absolutely the finest generation. but for obama to even walk the hallowed groun these veterans fought and died for is an insult to these fine men.!!!!

cheryl noori

You would complain if he wasn’t there. Make up your mind

Rhonda Dugger

God Bless him and all the Veterans! We owe them our everything!

tonya

Obama does not deserve to stand next to any of these great and honorable men.

cheryl noori

Really? He’s only the Commander in Chief and and the President of the United States of America. I think he can stand next to them.

cheryl king

Brings tears to my eyes.
May God bless each and ever
one of you all.

guts

You da man Bernard!God bless you buddy, and thank you for loving your country enough to do something about it! You can’t keep a good man down.SALUTE !!!

BruceA

Being 45 yrs old I wish my generation was half of what these men were. Instead we are willing to give away freedom at the drop of a hat for the promise of a free ride. I wish I could shake everyone of thier hands for the country they left us and apolgise for what we are dong to it. By far the greatest generation.

Sarrissa

Don’t sell yourselves too short, BruceA. As an older person, I have seen many noble souls in your generation.

Dany Gaudreau

We can’t understand what they went through ! What I can say is thanks a thousand times for our freedom ! And let’s keep fighting, it’s never over.

Pemi-Man

Truely the greatest generation mankind will ever see…

Jeff Allen

Awesome!

Jaclyn Baggesen

THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE VERY DEPTH OF MY SOUL THAT ONLY GOD KNOWS WHERE IT IS AND WHAT THAT SPECIAL PLACE IN MY SOUL HOLDS DEAR….THAT IS EXACTLY WHERE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO GAVE UP THERE PRECIOUS LIFE AND NOT ABLE TO LIVE THEIR FULL LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM…THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU ARE IN ME….THERE ARE NO WORDS….THANK-YOU JUST DOES NOT SEEM ENOUGH….YOU ARE ALL HONORED IN THAT SPECIAL PLACE IN MY SOUL AND ALWAYS WILL BE UNTIL THE DAY I TAKE MY LAST BREATH HERE ON EARTH….

Montie D’Angelo

If he was able to come and go as he pleased then why did they have him as missing?

Sandy Kizzen

My brother has been a nursing home since he was 62. He can come and go but you needs to check out and let them know you are leaving so they can be sure no harm has come to you.

Erik Askviken

I love that last line. Everyone thought (at least i did) that he was talking about his military service, not his service as mayor.

Humbled!

Sarrissa

You, sir, are a great and grand old warrior and heaven knows you. You and those who went before you, who are present now and who are yet to come, are a people set apart because of your undying valor, love of country and fellow man. You shall never be forgotten.

Anonymous

These last few of the greatest generation. They were great because, when called upon, they rose up and fought evil and tyranny without any reservation.
Can the same be said for our generation? Or our children? The evil and tyranny of today is less obvious and more insidious. More insidious because it attacks not the physical but the spiritual and moral fiber of our nation. I believe there are many, many good and noble Americans willing to do the very same thing our forefathers did in 1776 and 1941. The tragic difference is that the battle might be fought here at home

Troyboy

Amen so sad but true !!

Sandy Kizzen

God Bless this man and all the brave individuals who fought so the world could be free of the maniacs. So glad he was able to attend – he is a hero.

Anonymous

Thank all of the D-Day vets living and passed. You gentlemen went through hell and back and I for one am damn proud of all of you!

Anonymous

GOD BLESS THEM ALL!

SomeGalNTx

The last of the finest generation this world has ever known, who exemplified courage under fire. They certainly gave all.

Robert Lindsey

As a WWII reenactor me and my group just finished a D-Day event at the Reading Pa.airfield. What an honor and privilege it was. Thanks to all those vets both alive and deceased
.

IT 2 IT

BTW —how’s that ‘coverage’ coming for next week’s, June 25th,
anniversary of the kickoff of the ‘yet unfolding’, 21st century prefiguring,
———————————–KOREAN WAR———————————–
———————————————————-coming?

landofaahs

Sounds to me like the wrong person is in the facility, maybe the staff should be the patients.